During World War II, nearly 1.25 million Pennsylvanians served in the Armed Forces and another 1.6 million in the state's volunteer army of civil-defense workers. Others, including African American and women war workers, contributed to a staggering industrial output that was vital to American victory. As the home of the historic peace churches, the Commonwealth also produced more conscientious objectors than any other state in the nation.

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U. S. Marines land on Guadalcanal Island in the Solomons, beginning America's first military offensive in a campaign that lasts until February 1943

1942

The Dravo Corporation in Pittsburgh launches LST-1, its first Landing Ship Tank

1942 - 1942

Scrap Harvest nets 780,000 tons of metal

1942

Letterkenny Ordinance Depot begins operations

1942

Federal authorization of the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) and the Women's Flying Training Detachment (WFTD), which, in August 1943, are merged to become the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)

1942

Operation Torch-Allied troops land in North Africa

1942

Federal creation of the Women's Coast Guard, named SPARS, an acronym for the Coast Guard motto, "Semper Paratus-Always Ready"

1942

War Labor Board orders defense industries to provide equal pay for men and women

1942

Coffee rationing begins, lasted through July 1943

1942

Willow Grove Naval Air Station opens

1942

Nationwide gasoline rationing begins

1942

USS New Jersey launched at Philadelphia Navy Yard

1943

Sunday driving banned, the start of the ban on pleasure driving, which lasted until September